So, What's wrong with Joliet?

[Daveposts]

Originally Posted by desert student

You must not have read what I wrote because I wasn't speaking in terms of a buisness perspective!

Again, I think that it is sad that Chicago, with everything it has, has not produced a suburban community that people know on a national level as being positive. Meaning, good schools, low crime, excellent standard of living, quality of life issues, clean, etc. etc. Not major companies! Again, look at the Houston to Chicago reference in comparision to what you said. Many smaller cities, with far lower Fortune 500 companies have already produced alternate suburban cities that have everything I listed, and are known for it on national level. Does that make sense now!

I believe the reason Chicago has not produced a suburb on a national level that is known as a positive town, and everything else you have said, is because our most notable towns are small. If a cluster of little towns in DuPage County were incorporated as one city, say with at least a population of 220,000 like Scottsdale, AZ then this fictitious city would undoubtedly be known through out the country. The same can be said about some areas in the North Suburbs, Northwest, and yes even the Southwest.

[Steve-o]

And the only thing Scottsdale is known for is tourism and a retiree location. Scottsdale is not a heavy-hitter on a global scale by any means. Heck, Wisconsin Dells and Niagara Falls are very well known across the country but what have they done for the world? lol Tourism aside, PHX isnt known for squat, unlike Chicago.

[thompson84606]

Originally Posted by sbd78

In Phoenix, even the city itself looks like sprawl. It has no urban feel to it what-so-ever. That was the first thing I noticed when I visited Phoenix. I don't understand it either.

The lack of urban feel may have something to do with the reason the PHX area adds 250,000 people every year. A lot of people want to live in an actual house rather than a $500K apartment in a renovated warehouse. (Not towards the post I quoted now) It's interesting how everyone in Chicago assumes that what they have to offer is always bar none the best. It's incredible how people think that if prices were equal that people would choose Oak Park over Oswego every time....not everyone wants the urban life and the "unique" architecture that to some is outdated or unattractive. In other words....EVERYONE HAS DIFFERENT TASTES. The post by desert student made no mention of Phoenix, which attracts people for a number of reasons, including master planned communities with southwestern stucco styling. This was a draw for California as well where people wanted to live in a gated community with a golf course among houses that represented the styling and landscaping that they liked. It seems that desert student was comparing Joliet to the rest of the Chicago area, in no way insinuating that Phoenix was superior to Chicago. Many people move into the Chicago area for jobs and want to stay as far away from the city as their commute will allow. I know that the midwest must be really resentful that so many of their own are being drawn to AZ, UT, CA, ID, OR and WA, but that doesn't mean that you need to start hating on a city that most of you have merely driven through when it doesn't pertain to the topic.
Now for the original post.
I realize that Joliet has some issues, I was very aware of that when I lived in Naperville, but cities that are working through issues are often more closely knit. A lot of the high income suburbs are obsessed merely with their own subdivision and what the next big box store will be built within driving distance of home. By history I was merely referring to the length of time that Joliet has been a major player in the area. I realize that a lot of the other towns have colorful histories of how they were founded, but you ask the average resident of Naperville living south of 95th street if they care anything about downtown, and you'll get a lot of indifferent responses. I was just interested as to why no positive outlooks are presented for Joliet, as well as Villa Park, Addison, Bensenville, Berwyn, or any other lower income area that I've asked about on this board. Is life that horrible in Chicago for people who can't live in half-million dollar houses? If so then maybe that's why they're moving to PHX.

[crbcrbrgv]

The problem with Joliet is it's Aurora, but even crappier.

[mdz]

The topic is "Joliet". I'm sorry I had to delete some of the posts, but this one got out of hand. Let's get it back on topic.

[mdz]

okeydokey, thread closed. I've got no problem with the debate, but the whole point of threads is to stay on topic.